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The Gazette Publishing House 
1892. 






CRESTON, IOWA: / 






CdrYKIGIlT, 

is';2, 

5v ALVIN L. SNOW. 



Ill 



-^i-OONTENTSi^ 



Songs of the White Mountains. 

V'AGE 

Proem, . . . . . .3 

Ode to Mount Washington, ... 5 

Among the Mountains, . . , .8 

Sunrise, . . . . . . g 

Mountain Scenes, . . . . .9 

The Mountain Retreat, . . . . 10 

Moonrise on Mount Washington, . . .11 

In the Glen, . . . . . 12 

Noontide,- . . . . . .12 

Echo Lake, . . -. . . 13 

The Silver Cascade, . . . . .14 

Moonlight on the Heights, . . . . 15 

The Wind Among The Pines, . . . .16 

The Mountain Storm, . . . .18 

Sunset, . . . . . .19 

Farewell to the Mountains. ... 20 

Other Poems 

Trouble, . . . . . . 23 

Love, . . . . . . -25 

Wher]. the Sweetest Songs are Sung, . . 26 

Climb High, . . . . . .27 

That Summer Beside the Sea, ... 29 

The Maelstrom, . . . . .30 



iv Loiitoits. 

Onward, . -31 

Eulogy President (lurlield, . . . -34 

Our Beautiful IHaj^-, .... 36 

On the Battle-Field of Saratoga, . . • 3^ 

The Sunset Bird • • • • • 39 

Easter P^ean, . . ... . .40 

A Psahn of Spring, . . . . .41 

After the Storm, . . . . .42 

The \'io]ets, . . . . .43 

At Parting, . . . . . -44 

Flowers. . . . . ■ . .45 

The City b}' the Sea, . . . . .46 

O. the Lilies, ..... 48 

Quatrains: — 

Condolence, . . . . -SO 

New Scenes, . . ... . 50 

Sweetest of All, .. . . . -SO 

Burdens, . . . . .51 

Lines Written in an Album, . . -51 

Frost-Pictures, . . . . .51 

Under Blue Skies, . . . . -52 

In August, ...... 54 

Pictures of the Past, ' . . . . • 5^ 

Life, ...... 58 

The By-gone Summer, . . . . -59 

Sonnet to the P}Tamids, . . . .61 

The Oasis, . . . . . .62 

The Destroyed City, .... 63 

The Falling Leaves, . . . . • ^5 

November. ...... 66 

The Haunted ^Mansion, . . . . -67 



CiVitoiis. V 

The Chihuandassi, . . . . .68 

If We Will, . . . . . .70 

The Dying Day, ..... 70 

Bunker Hill Monument, . . . . -71 

Vive La Republique, .... 72 

When We Were Young, , . . . -71 

Press On, . . . . 74 

The Outlaw, . . . . . -75 

Lines to the New Year, . . , . 76 

In February, . . . , -77 

The Silent City, . . . . .78 

Ode to Yosemite Falls, . . . . -79 

Evening, . . . . . .81 

Sweet Moon, Silver Moon, . . . .82 

Sympathy, . . . . . .83 

At Rest, . . . , . . .84 

The Return of Spring, . . . .85 

The Brooklet, .... . . 86 

Never Despair, ..... 88 

The Changeable Flower, . . . .89 

The Cyclone, . . . . .91 

The Hermit, . . . . . -93 

The West- Wind, ..... 94 

Twilight, . . . . -95 

Within the Harbor, . • . . . .96 

The Sunny Side, . . . . -97 

At Morning, . . . . . .98 

A Song of the Sea, . . . . -99 

Yesterday and To-day, . . . .100 

My Old Home, . . . . . .101 

Where is my Youth. . . . . .102 

The Old School-House . . . . -103 



Vi 



( oiitoiti. 



Summer and Autumn, 
!:?ongs of the Golden -rod, 
Lost Youth, . 
Only in Dreams, 
A September Idyl, 
The Ruined Palace, 
At Last, 



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80NG8 OP THE WHITE MOUNTAINS, 



PROEM. 



I loathe the cit}-, with its ceaseless whirl 

And din and turbulence ! I love the green. 
Gay country, with its sparkling streams that purl 

Down wooded glens and grassy valleys serene — 
I love the sylvan and the mountainous scene ! 

O, let me leave dull streets and crowds behind; 
Let leagues of flowery landscape intervene 

Between me and the halls to. Pride assigned, 
And let me gaze on earth with meditative mind ! 

O, ye grand Peaks that nobly toWer' above 

All others in your region, as did those 
Whose names ye bear, whose memories we love. 

Tower in their time o'er mightiest friends and foes ! 
When Summer's hand your cold white mantles throws 

Aside, and wraps ye in rich robes of green. 
And decks your bosoms with the glowing rose, 

What joy to scale your heights sublime, serene. 
And like some eagle view the circumambient scene ! 



Soj/x's of the White Mouittdiiis. 

('.ladly I leave the city and its strife. 

(iladly your solitudes, O, Mountains, seek. 
Where liberty and peace and joy are rife ! 

Hail — hail to thee. O, thou world-fanicMis Peak f 
The rollinj;- centuries have not made thee weak; 

Thou art as when the sun first looked on thee, 
(iiant of Nature ! Tempests dire may wreak 

Their fury on earth, and men may cease to be,— 
Thou standest firm as God's unalterable decree ! 




Ode to Momit WasJiins^ton. 



ODE TO MOUNT WASHINGTON. 



O, Peak, with thy stony splinters, 

And pine-fringed granite bed ! 
The flakes of a thousand winters 

Have plumed thy lofty head ! 
And thou seem'st now, to the bard, 

A warrior brave and old, 
And thou seem'st the land to guard, 

With aspect proud and bold ! 

II. 

Heard'st thou that anthem which rang 

So rapturously o'er earth — 
That paean the Stars of Morning sang, 

To hail the }'oung World's birth? 
Thou hast naught wherewith to speak, 

And yet I fancy thou hast 
A voice, O, veteran Peak ! 

Which tells of periods past. 

III. 

When silence profound — unbroken — 
Around thee reigned of yore, 

And the ambient wilds no token- 
No trace of mortals bore — 

Ere Man, in admiration. 

First saw thee pierce the skies, 

Didst thou dream of the puissant Nation 
That 'neath thy glance should rise? 



S(>J/j:;'S of the White Moitntaiiis. 



IV 



Most noble art thou — transcendent 

In name and fame thou art ! 
Thy name — ah, how resplendent, 

How sacred to the heart 
That name ! — Ere thou wast christened, 

O, Mount ! that Name so grand 
With Fame's own halo glistened. 

On pages of our land. 



Fair Right rose bravely to wreak 

Just vengeance upon foul Wrong; 
And hoar Oppression waxed weak, 

And youthful Freedom grew strong. 
The weapon Heaven hallowed that hour 

To the Hero of Heroes was given; 
He severed the gyves of Power — 

By him were our Land's fetters riven. 



VI. 



O, deem it sacred dust, 

And worthy of highest renown. 
Where sleeps the 'Wise and Just, 

Who trampled the Tyrant down, 
Ye millions ! — ye that are now. 

And 3'e millions that yet are to be ! — 
With reverence bare the brow 

At the Shrine of the mighty and free ! 



Ode to Mount ]]^as/iiii_c[toii. 



VII. 



We come from a Father's Tomb, 

And see in the Mount sublime 
A symbol of him to whom 

Our Land owes its golden prime ! 
Ah, reverently breathe we that name- 

The name of our Nation's Sire ! 
Thou recordest none, O, Fame ! 

Purer or nobler or higher. 

VIII. 

Stand in thy peerless glory, 

O, Chief of the Northern Hills ! 
Cleansed are the fields once gory; 

Sweet Peace her mission fulfills: 
Oppression no more hath entry — 

Blest Liberty hath sole sway ! 
Stand — stand like a stalwart sentry— 

O, proudly stand for aye ! — 

IX. 

Stand while Earth's generations 

Come forth and like the grass 
Fade — whilst with their mutations 

The flying centuries pass: — 
As erst, with brow unbent. 

Still tower erect and free ! 
Thou art his best monument 

Whose name is given to thee ! 



S(>//j^s of the White Moiiiitaitis. 



AMONG THE MOUNTAINS. 



O, ye eternal Mountains ! 

How g^loriously ye stand ! 
How sweet your argent fountains ! 

Your stately forms how grand ! 

Avaunt, O, wraith-like Sorrow ! 

O, phantom Care, depart ! 
Go, dark thoughts of to-morrow ! 

Be lightsome, O, my heart ! 

At will I here may wander. 

Unvexed by the city's strife; 
Alone I here may ponder 

On Nature and Nature's life ! 

O, ye \\-ho 'mid Art's treasured 
Works rove, her halls forsake ! 

In Nature's realm unmeasured 
Your thirst for grandeur slake ! 

Leave, leave cold imitations 
Of the beautiful and sublime — - 

Ephemeral creations 

Effaced by scoffing Time ! — 

Come, view these Heights eternal ! 

On Nature's glories gaze — 
Glories that seem Supernal, 

In these halcyon Summer days! 



Mountain Scenes. 



SUNRISE. 



The East is a sheet of silver, 
The West is sullenly gray; — 

A glow on the distant mountain-tops 
Announces the coming day. 

A cloud o'er yon wild Peak hovers — 
It is changed to a crimson robe — 

Lo ! the Sun, in imperial splendor, 
Looks o'er the awakening globe ! 



MOUNTAIN SCENES. 



How sweet in the radiant Summer days 

(And not in Summer only) 
On these sublimest scenes to gaze ! 

Oh, who can here be lonely.'' 

What joy to wander all day long, 

In golden hours of leisure, 
Far from the tumult and the throng. 

With Nature — ay, what pleasure ! 

Turn where thou wilt, what wonders rise — 
Marvels beyond thy dreaming ! 

Here rove and feast thy ravished eyes, 
Th3''self in Paradise deeming ! 

Ah, scenes unrivaled ! — Thou mayst stray, 
O, wanderer bold and fearless. 

O'er all the world, yet thou wilt say 
These glorious scenes are peerless ! 



lO Sor/_<^'-s of till' White Mountains. 



THE MOUNTAIN RETREAT 



Away from the ceaseless turmoil, 

Away from the dust and heat, 
How pleasant to rest on the earth's green breast, 

In this cool and quiet retreat ! 

Away from the mocking splendors, 

And the vanities numberless, 
Of Fashion's train and Mammon's reign — 

From the multitude's throng and press ! 

Away from crowded structures, 

And the ways by myriads trod, 
In Nature's home, 'neath Heaven's own dome. 

Alone 'mid the works of God ! 

O, most delightful rambles, 

O, most delicious dreams, 
On mountain-brows — under verdant boughs 

- — Beside pellucid streams ! 

'Tis a foretaste of Elysium — 

Of the joys the Blessed know ! 
Oh ! there is not a sweeter spot 

In the wide, wide world below ! 



Moo)irisc on Mouitt WasJiiiio-ton. n 



MOONRISE ON MOUNT WASHINGTON. 



Upon this Titan Height all eyes 
Are centered on the eastern skies, 
To watch the moon's bright orb arise. 

She comes — fair Luna comes; for, lo ! 

The far horizon is aglow 

With silver radiance which doth grow ! 

Behold her rim of argent sheen ! — 
Behold the grand Nocturnal Queen, 
In all her majesty serene ! 

How gloriously she throws her beams 

O'er vales and heights, o'er woods and streams 

How wondrous beautiful she seems ! 

As higher up yon sky she soars, 

What splendor upon earth she pours ! — 

Glory like that from Heaven's own doors ! 

How her rays so clear and strong 
Silver o'er the enchanted throng ! 
Oh, scene to be remembered long ! 



12 Soii^s of f/ii- White }[ouiitaiiis. 



IX THK (;len. 



A tiny brook meanders down the ^len — 
An ardent streamlet mnsical and fleet; 
I love to listen to its murmuring sweet — - 

Have hearkened to it hour by hour. C). when 

I grow aweary of the haunts of men, 
I seek within its depths a quiet retreat, 
Where overhead the whispering branches meet, 

And, waiving care, I am most happy then. 

O, tranquil glen ! O, pure, melodious brook ! 
How much of earthly bliss to you I owe ! 
The busy world may deem nou dull indeed; 

Little I reck. Give me my favorite nook. 

And that soft rippling i Lonely I cannot grow — 
For aught more pleasurable I will not plead. 



NOONTIDE. 



No lightsome breeze is floating now; 
The trees on each Peak's lofty brow 
Like silent, motionless sentries stand, 
Looking o'er the mountain land. 

How tranquil is the hour ! No sound 
Steals from the solitudes around: 
Bird of song and bird of prey 
To deepest shades ha\'e stolen away. 



EcJio Lake. 

Dazzlingly the sun looks down 
On each Height s gigantic crown — 
Into glens and gorges deep: — 
'Neath his rays earth seems asleep. 



13 



ECHO LAKE. 



Here softly blow thy bugle. — 

What wild, sweet sounds awake !- 

What echoes — heavenly echoes — 
Float over Echo Lake ! 

Listen — O, listen — listen ! 

How sweet beyond compare ! — 
Each note dissolves in sweetness 

On the enchanted air ! 

How clear and bright the waters ! 

How sweetly the ripples play ! — 
On this beautiful sheet of silver, 

Let us gently launch away ! 

Ah ! gracefull}- as the swallow 

Wings his rapid flight, 
Over this matchless mirror 

Speeds our boat so light ! 

Once more lift up thy bugle — 
The dreamy silence break ! 

O, sounds — O, visions of Heaven ! 
O, peerless Echo Lake ! 



14 S<>/i_i^s of t//.' White Momttains. 



THE SILVER CASCADE. 



O, nowhere, save in Heaven, 
Is there a lovelier stream — 

Not even in the enchanting 
Eden of a dream ! 

Nowhere in all the regions 

By mortal eyes surveyed 
May be seen a torrent so beautiful 

As thine, O. argent Cascade ! 

Ah ! sweeter, wilder music 

Ne'er made Man's soul rejoice 

Than the sempiternal melody 
Of thy never-silent voice ! 

I gaze and gaze upon thee, 
And hearken, hearken long, 

Entranced by thy magic loveliness. 
And the witchery of thy song ! 

Flow on, flow on forever. 

Descending from on high. 
In thy beauty and sweetness and purity. 

Like an angel from the sky. 



Moonlight on the Heights. \ 5 



MOONLIGHT ON THE HEIGHTS. 



The full-orbed moon ascends the sky, 
And looks serenely from on high: 
How softly her rays of silver rest 
On each majestic mountain's crest ! 

Alone, in musing mood, I stand 
Upon this Height so wild, so grand, 
And bare my brow to feel the light 
Caress of the cool wind of night. 

How beautiful, how quiet is all 
Around, below, above ! — The fall 
Of some sweet fount soft melody makes — 
No other sound the stillness breaks. 

As tranquilly, O, Orb serene, 
Didst thou look down upon this scene 
— On these Peaks so high and vast. 
In unnumbered centuries past. 

Long ages hence, when all who gaze 

On thee shall walk no more earth's ways. 

Those wilt as placidly look down. 

And these famed Heights with radiance crown. 



l6 S(>ni;s of t/ii White Mountains. 

THE WIND AMONC; THE PINES, 



Like the inurinur of the ocean. 

As its waves in endless lines 
Seek the shore with rtjllin^^ motion, 

Sounds the wind amonjj^ the pines '. 

O'er the emerald-mantled mountains. 

Drowninj^ — overpowering quite 
The silver voices of the fountains, 

It rushes with its breath of might. 

Close thine eyes — a moment darken 
Thy vision — let thy fancy reign: — 

Thou dost deem, as thou dost hearken. 
Thou standest by the mighty maiiK — 

Thou dost dream of vessels speeding 

Unto many a far-off land, 
In distance lessening — fast receding 

O'er the sweep of waters grand; — 

Thou dost dream of sunny highlands, 

On whose tall cliffs white surges beat, — 

Of reefs of coral — wave-kissed islands 
Ever romantic, ever sweet; — 

Thou dost dream of caves enchanted. 
Where many a songful mermaid dwells. — 

Of shores where sirens erst descanted — 
Of l)eaches strewn with rose-lipped shells \ 



The Wind Among the Pines. 17 

Blissful dreaming- — radiant vision ! 

But cease thy re very ^ — ope thine eyes:— 
Behold these bowers that seem Elysian — 

These Peaks that soar to cloudless skies ! 

Scenes as nobly j^rand as Ocean's 

Thou viewest with adniirinj^- ^aze — 
As lofty, as sublime emotions 

In thy enraptured soul they raise. 

Ah ! thrilling as the shout victorious 

Of a conquering army's lines 
Is the sound, forever glorious, 

Of the wind among the pines ! 




i8 Son^i^s (>f //u- White Mountains. 



THE MOUNTAIN STORM. 



A low and ominous rumble 

Steals from the distant west;— - 
Lo ! a cloud black and dread lifts its demon-like head 

Over yon mountain's crest ! 

Ouickly — ah, how quickl}' 

The heavens are with gloom o'erspread ! 
Anon huge drops bespatter the tops 

Of the pine-trees overhead. 

Now behold I in all its fury 

The Summer shower comes down; 
And the rolling thunder shakes all things under 

The Storm-liend's ebon frown ! 

More fiercely fall the torrents, 

And dimmer grows the day; 
While with dazzling flash and horrific crash 

The lightnings and thunders pla}\ 

Hearken! A sound appalling! — 

A most heavy and sullen shock ! 
Ah ! a lurid dart hath riven the heart 

Of a pine on yon tower of rock ! 

In the vales the streamlets are roaring 

Like rivers in their pride; [nooks 

Rills swollen to brooks course through lightning-lit 

Adown each mountain's side ! 



S^/nscf. 19 



But see ! In the western heaven 

Shines the blue sky of day ! 
The hghtnings red and the thunders dread 

Move farther and farther away ! 

'Tis past — and all is peaceful ! 

The smiling sun looks down, 
"With its wonted glow, upon all below; — 

How it gilds each proud Peak's crown ! 



SUNSET. 



Beyond yon giant Height the sun 
Hath passed in all his glory; — 
The West is as red as a battle-field gory 

The Summer day is done. 

Paler, paler grows the sky. 

Where Daylights parting hues 
Their magical radiance diffuse — 

They fade — alas, they die ! 

Each tint — each glowing tint is gone ! 

The West is robed in gray: 

The Peaks — ah, phantom-like are they, 
As the shades of Night steal on. 



20 Sollies of t/u W'ltitc MojDttains. 



FAREWELL TO THE MOUNTAINS. 



Farewell, O. ye Mountains — ye Noblest of Mountains ! 

Farewell to your bowers — ah, sweetest of bowers ! 
Farewell to your fountains — most musical fountains ! 

Farewell to your rto^\■ers — most beautiful flowers ! 
No more shall I hail the ^iad adx'ent of Morning, 

On }'our crests that tow'rd Hea\en in such majesty swell; 
Nor when Sunset's j^ay hres, y(jur proud spires adorning, 

Flame forth shall I \iew you, O, Mountains! — Farewell! 

Farewell, ye grand Mountains ! with exquisite pleasure 

I have wandered among you in lo\eliest days — 
Ah, the joys of those da\'s m\- remembrance shall treasure ! 

In fancy full oft on your scenes I shall gaze — 
Often, }ea, often in sweet retrospection 

Each ravishing scene, each loved spot I shall view ! 
Oh, ne'er can you fade from mv stjul's recollection. 

Ye Mountains — ye glorious Mountains! — Adieu! 

Farewell — ay, farewell ! From the pine-tree's soft rustle, 

The murmur of brooklets and wild-birds' sweet songs, 
I must haste to the city's commotion and bustle. 

Its wearisome hum and its vast surging throngs. 
But where'er I may be, though oft burdened \\ith sadness, 

Wherever in all the wide world I may dwell. 
Fond Mem'ry shall e\er revert with true gladness 

To my stay in your midst, sublime Mountains! — Farewell ! 



OTHEH POEms. 



OxHEf? PoEms. 



TROUBLE. 



O, why be ever watching 

For ills and woes to come? 
Why brood o'er days that are to be. 

And evermore be glum? 
Press on, press on ! With courage 

Your way in life pursue, 
And pay no heed to trouble 

Till trouble comes to you. 

The sun is brightly shining, 

Although the heavens frown; 
And soon the clouds will fall apart, 

And radiance will come down. 
O, keep a brave heart ever. 

And have a prize in view. 
And pay no heed to trouble 

Till trouble comes to vou. 



24 Otlici- Pnriiis. 

The past is past fore\'er; 

And why should we recall 
Its bygone cares, its vanished griefs? 

O, strive to banish all ! 
Wait cheerfully the future. 

Take heart and hope anew, 
And pay no heed to trouble 

Till trouble comes to }'ou. 

The bird that sings so sweetl)' 
Upon the greenwood spray 

Dreams not of darksome da}-s to corne- 
ls happ3' in to-da\\ 

Each life must have its trials. 
And yours ma\- not be few. 

But pay no heed to trouble 
Till trouble comes to you. 

Our merciful Creator 

Is wiser far than we, 
And what is best for e\-er\" one 

Unerringl}- can see. 
O. look to Him and trust Him, 

And He will guide you through 
All perils. Heed not trouble 

Till trouble comes to voy. 



Love. 25 



LOVE. 



You may seek for earthly treasure, 

Vast wealth you may obtain; 
You may taste what the world calls pleasure, 

High honor you may gain: 
You may dwell 'neath the brightest skies 

That ever smiled above, 
But you ne'er will be happy, though rich or wise, 

Without the boon called love. 

You may roam the wide world over, 

You may journey o'er land and sea, 
But vain, O, restless rover, 

Will all your wanderings be. 
You will be, in every land. 

Like a weary and homeless dove; 
You will pe'er be content, though 'mid scenes most grand, 

If you have not the treasure love. 

You may pave your way to glory 

With victories nobly won; 
Your name may shine in story, 

In fame be surpassed by none: 
But you ne'er will be satisfied, 

If you have not something above 
The blare of renown — above pomp and pride — 

And that precious something is love. 



26 Other Pooiis. 

O, Love ! 'tis thy blest chalice 

That makes life sweet to all, 
In cottage or in palace. 

Where'er the sun's rays fall. 
Still gladden every shore, 

Thou benison from above ! 
Oh ! rule in our hearts forevermore, 

Pure, Heaven-sent, glorious Love ! 



WHEN THE SWEETEST SONGS ARE SUNG. 



'Tis not when our souls are fraught 
W^ith the fanciful and the ideal. 

But when, in sober thought, 

They dwell on the true and the real. 

The heart's depths must be stirred, 
Ere song's full tide can roll, — 

Ere the poet can pen a magical word. 
Or the minstrel charm a soul. 



Climb High. 27 



CLIMB HIGH! 



"There is always room at the top."— Webster. 



Wouldst thou win, upon the earth, 

Fame that shall not die.' 
A widespread name — a name of worth.? 
Climb high ! 

Let no task dismay thy soul; 

With the noblest vie: 
Strive to reach a lofty g'oal; 
Climb high ! 

Let not languor o'er thee steal; 

O'er no lost hope sigh: 
Arduous work demands thy zeal; 
Climb high ! 

Science is a towering peak; 

To scale it wouldst though try.? 
Dauntlessly its summit seek; 
Climb high ! 

Wouldst thou sing immortal lays.? 

Wouldst thou glorify 
The world of song — evoke its praise.? 
Climb high ! 



2S Other I'otnis. 

Wouldst thou ^^ain earth's <;littering gold? 

Fortune will not deny 
The boon- — be resolute and bold; 
Climb high ! 

Wouldst thou nobler make the world? 

Bid Error pale and fly? 
With the Hag of Truth unfurled, 
Climb high ! 

Upward ! Upward ! Does th\- way 

'Mid thorny labyrinths lie? 
Turn not back — press forward a)e; 
Climb high ! 

Upward, upward evermore ! 

Time glides swiftl}' by; 
Dare and do ere life be o'er: 
Climb high ! 

O, shrink not from life's heaviest cross ! 

All earthly ills defy; 
Be not o'ercome by woe or loss: 
Climb high ! 

Do clouds of disappointment dark 

Sweep across thy sky? 
A Voice from Heaven shall cheer thee — hark ! 
"Climb High!" 

Upward, upward lift th}' soul: 

Upward turn thine e}e: 
Seek the grand Eternal Goal; 
CLIMB HIGH ! 



TJiat Sumvicr Beside the Sea. 



THAT SUMMER BESir)E THE SEA. 



29 



Bright Summer is smiling once more, 

Her cloudless sky is o'erhead, 
But I ramble not on the shore 

Where Pleasure's votaries tread. 
The billows, as they rise and sink, 

Make no more their murmurs to me; 
Alone I walk, alone I think 

Of a Summer beside the sea — 

Of a Summer dead and gone b}' the sea. 

A snowy and rose-lipped shell 

I hold within my hand. 
And seem to see surges swell. 

And hear them smite the sand. 
But I will gather shells no more; 

For sundered for aye are we 
Who strayed together on the shore 

That Summer beside the sea, — 

That Summer dead and gone by the sea. 

But I dream of another sea, — 

I dream of another shore, 
Where the soul from earth's pangs is free — 

Where hearts are severed no more. 
Ah ! somewhere on that winterless Strand 

Where blooms Life's fadeless Tree, 
When Truth's vail is rent, we may understand 

Each other — beside that Sea — 

That eternal Supernal Sea. 



30 Other r or Ills. 



THE MAELSTROM. 



O, there is a f,Milf in a far-off deep, 

Whose whirhnj^- waters never sleep ! 

Horridly swirling round and round, 

They appall the ear with their mighty sound f 

Ever and aye, by night and by day. 

They revel in wild, infernal play. 

Ah ! woe to the cautionless, luckless ship 

That ventures near the monster's lip: 

^^'oe if she floateth beyond the verge: 

Naught mortal can save her — she cannot emerge — 

She is lost in the Hell of the circling surge. 

There is a Maelstrom in ever}- clime. 

Whose wrecks, alas ! are souls sublime. 

Whirled in its terrible grasp they go 

Down to the depths of eternal woe. 

-It swirleth, swirleth night and day. 

It whirleth, whirleth aye and aye. 

Millions into its gulf are borne. 

Millions are lost and millions mourn ! 

It rages, rages and spurns control. 

This destroyer of the soul 

Is the stream that flows from the maddening bowl. 



0)111' ard. 31 



ONWARD ! 



Onward ! Let this be our motto, 

And the burden of our song ! 
With the word upon our banners, 

Let us bravely march along ! 
Onward! there are fields of glory 

We may win by noble strife; 
Waste no time in idle dreaming! 

Onward in the march of life! 

Onward, onward! Ever onward! 

Look not back, nor stay thy feet; 
Loiter not 'mid morning's freshness. 

Falter not 'mid noontide's heat. 
Ever onward, ever onward! 

There are treasures to be won; 
Haste to grasp them, lest they vanish 

Ere shall rise to-morrow's sun. 

Onward! brighter days are coming, 

O, ye weary ones who toil! 
Onward, laborer, grandly onward! 

From no worthy task recoil. 
Onward, brilliant son of Genius! 

Honor waits thee — deathless fame! 
Onward, onward to achievement! 

Thine may be a lofty name. 



32 Other j'oiiiis. 

Onward! there are deeds of grandeur. 

Deeds of wonder to perform! 
There are mighty hosts to vanquish, 

Towering fortresses to storm! 
There are vast unfathomed problems 

In the boundless reahn of Thought. 
Onward, onward! You may solve them! 

(inward! TcmI where none have wrought. 

Onward in the ranks of Progress! 

O, let naught thy steps impede — 
On with unremitting ardor! 

Never from the van recede! 
All that makes Earth happier, better. 

All that elevates Mankind, 
Strive with dauntless soul to forward! 

Not an instant fall behind. 

Onward — on! Though worn and weary. 

Do not fail to render aid 
To the struggling ones around you. 

Onward! Never be dismayed! 
Onward in life's glorious battle, 

Though by foes most sorely pressed; 
Onward! there is naught like courage! 

Victory brings joy and rest. 

Onward ever, onward ever 
In the sacred cause of Right! 

I^et not Error's threats alarm thee, 
Though her arm is full of might. 

Onward! If thou be triumphant. 
Thou shalt wear a peerless crown; 



Oiitvard. 

Thou shalt share the bHss of angels! 
Onward! heed not scoff nor frown. 

Onward, though the way be thorny; 

On tow'rd Heaven! on tow'rd God! 
Onward till you scale the Mountains 

That no mortal feet have trod! 
Onward till by Life's pure River 

You may rest — the bright Goal won — 
And the sweet voice of the Master 

Shall repeat the words, "Well Done I 



33 




34 Otiur Poems. 



EULOGY— PRESIDENT GARFIELD. 



(Read before the S. C 1. Sociely, Simpson Ccllese, October, 1S81.) 



Who are the wise? Go, Hght thine evening taper! 

Over the leaves of mighty volumes pore, 
On words that speak to thee from lifeless paper 

Of those who've viewed the Universe before. 

Lo, he was wise who erst was wont to soar 
Into the sky of soul — the sphere of Thought — 

The shining peaks of Knowledge to explore; 
^^^lo traced her dictates, unperplexed by aught. 
And issued them anew, with added meaning fraught. 

Who are the noble? Turn to grateful hearts, 

The glory of nobility to learn. 
For gladdened lives are unto us as charts. 

Whereby their spirits' broadness we discern. 

Lo, he was noble who was wont to spurn 
The lures of Wantonness and Ease, and go 

W^ith succor to the hearth where ceased to burn 
The last pale ember b}' the couch of Woe, 
Establish comfort there and light anew its glow. 

Like these, I ween, the wise and noble are. 

The traits of both united in one soul, 
Which was our- Country's lofty leading star. 

But unpent grief assumes a long control! 

That soul has flown, and Earth from pole to pole 



Eulogy — President Garfield. 35 

Laments its flight untimely: — on that day 

When ruthlessly the dread Destroyer stole 
The link that bound it to its native cla}-, 
She mourned that her admired should thus be spurned away. 

Our Country sitteth like a matron bowed 

In boundless sorrow for her true Knight slain; 

And the surrounding nations like a crowd 
Of sisters sympathize — and not in vain 
Their tears with hers have mingled like the rain, 

And hallowed Justice calls for that base one, 

Whom all that breathe with high contempt disdain, 

By whom the deed — ignoble deed — was done, 

Which earlv hath entombed fair Freedom's favorite son. 

Vain-minded Guiteau! thou hast won a fame 
Dark as the blackness of the rayless night. 

Thy name shall live — not like that better name 
Now sadly glorious to all human sight. 
But different as the dark is from the light — 

On History's leaf, by Truth recorded there. 
Beneath his virtue she thy shame shall write. 

Thy memory, like a stench, disgust shall bear, 

And thou art doomed to walk with demons in despair. 

Immortal Garfield! endlessly revered 

Thy name shall be — thou deathless in thy fall! 

The monument thou to thyself hast reared 
By thy pure life more potent is than all 
Can make to thee who form the marble wall. 

Thy deeds were thy best laurels. Mighty man! 
With pleasure we thy words and acts recall! 

Thy memory, through all Time's future span, 

Shall be as fragrance. Rest as but the holy can. 



36 Other Porms. 



OV\<. HKAUTIFl'L FLAG 



A NA'I'ION'AL DDE. 



O, bcuutiful Flag of our Nation! 

The l>anncr of Banners thou art, 
Fair Standard! — the worhl's admiration, 

The pride of the patriot's heart! 
Thou wearest tlie crimson of morninj;, 

Hea\'en's hhie and the liue of the snow. 
And the hrij^ht stars of Hea\'en adorning- 

Thy folds — how sublimely they glow ! 

II. 

Wave forever, O, l^anner of Beauty! 

Forex'erniore ^\•ave — freely wave! 
To rexere thee is life's sweetest dut}\ 

To defend thee the joy of the bra\'e! 
Over land, o\er ocean victorious. 

Float for aye, kissed by Heaven's golden light, 
(), Standard of standards most glorious, 

O. synd)ol of freedom and might! 

III. 

O, beautiful blag of our Nation! 

How bravely the noble and good, 
'Neath the Stars (^f thy grand Constellation, 

In defence of our Country have stood! 



Our Beautiful F/ao; 37 

How brilliant thy triumphs on ocean, 

Thy conquests on battle-swept field! 
To thee our most loyal devotion, 

Our hearts' deepest homage we yield! 

IV. 

Oh! when the wild battle is raginj^'. 

How sweet to behold thee above, 
The rapture of vict'ry presaginj^", 

Fair Flaj^' of our hope and our love! 
Like angels' eyes tenderly beaming, 

Thy sweet Stars look down on the dead; 
Like a seraph's wing radiantly streaming. 

Thou ilutterest softly o'erhead! 

v. 

When traitors dared baSely and madly 

Thy orient fabric to rend. 
What heroes rose nobly and gladly 

Thy Stars and thy Stripes to defend! 
Peace reigns where the cannon roared loudly, 

And hostile ranks bristled with steel; 
Thy colors fly gayly and proudly, 

And all hearts are true to thy weal. 

VI. 

O, beautiful Flag of our Nation! 

We uphold thee with heart and with hand; 
For thy glory and thy preservation 

Until death we would dauntlessly stand! 
Ever\' enemy's ensign before thee 

Shall go down with a meteor's flight. 
And Heaven smile approvingly o'er thee 

When proud foes are vanquished in fight! 



38 OtJicr Povms. 

Flag of Freedom — blest Flag of our Nation! 

Bright Banner of peerless renown ! 
May the orbs of thy proud Constellation, 

Thy heavenly Stars, ne'er go down ! 
In peace, or 'mid war wild and gor\', 

Stream in splendcjr and triumph above ! 
We pledge thee, O, Banner of G^lorv ! 

Everlasting allegiance and love. 



ON THE BATTLE-FIELD OF SARATOGA. 



Ah! here a great triumph for Freedom 

^^^as won, 
In that Conflict which made us a Nation — 
The grandest nnder the sun ! 

Here the haughty and bold British Lion 

Recoiled 
Before the brave swoop of our Eagle — 
Here an arrogant foeman was foiled ! 

Here was vanquished the host of Oppression ! 

For aye 

Be this field and its heroes remembered, 

And the victory gained in that fray I 



The Snnsct Bird. 
THE SUNSET BIRD. 



There is a bird in Alaska wliicii sin^s only at sunset, and which is therefore 
called the Sunset Bird. 



In a far-off land of cold and snow 
Sings the beautiful Sunset Bird; 
And only in sunset's golden glow 

Its wonderful song is heard. 
Not in broad day, when other birds sing, 
Making- the depths of wild woods ring-. 
But when the sun doth its last rays fling 
By his exquisite marvellous carolling 
The solitudes are stirred. 

He sings of the grandeur of earth and sky, 

The glories of even-time. 
When the wandering winds so softly sigh, 

And the stars the heavens climb. 

As departing Day bids the world adieu 

As shines each gorgeous sunset hue 
In the western heaven so deeply blue, 
Floateth his strain the dark wood through. 

Enchanting and sublinie. 

'Tis a lullab}' for the wear}' earth, 

A song of peace and rest; 
And more of solace than of mirth 

Is by those notes expressed. 
O, songster rare, O, songster rare ! 
Few may hear thy magic air. 
Would that mortal songs could share 
The witchery thy lay doth bear, 

Its sweetness and its zest ! 



40 Other Poriiis. 



EASTER P.I':AN. 



O, bells, ring joyously and long! 

O, Earth, break forth in grateful song! 

Right hath triumphed over Wrong — 

Rent is the tomb's dark prison ! 
The Crucified, the Crucified 
For us Heaven's gates hath oj^ened wide ! 
For our guilt}- souls He died — 

Christ is risen ! 

No more shall Man in hopeless ^\•oe 
Pass this mortal life below ! 
Blow, ye fragrant lilies, blow ! 

Burst is the tomb's dark prison ! 
He whose blcjod for us was spilt 
Hath atoned for all our guilt ! 
O. World, be jubilant ! Yea. thou wilt — 

Christ is risen ! 

He ^\■ho bore our weight of sin 

Lies no longer cold within 

Earth's bosom. Angels here ha\-e been — 

Unsealed the tomb's dark ]irison ! 
He liveth ! ne'er again to die ! 
He reigneth ! throned with God on high ! 
Let praise like incense fill the skv — 

Christ is risen I 



A Psalm of Spring. 41 



A PSALM OF SPRING. 



O, the mern-, merry Spring-time, 

Has a charm for every eye ! 
For its lovely flowers and blossoms, 

And its sunny bright-blue sky, 
And its gayly-vvarbling songsters. 

And its murm'ring silv'ry streams. 
A rapture bring to Fancy. 

Like sweet pictures in our dreams ! 

O, the brightness of the Spring-time, 

When the darksome days are past, 
And the pall-like clouds of Winter 

O'er the earth no more are cast ! 
How we love the vernal sunshine, 

With its warm re\-iving ray, 
Bringing life and bloom and gladness — 

Driving gloom. and grief away ! 

O, the music of the Spring-time ! 

How it calls to mind the lays 
That we sang amid the freshness 

Of our Youth's gay Spring-time days ! 
To the Fairy-land of Childhood 

How it calls our memories back ! 
Ah ! we bask among the visions 

Of our life's bright early track ! 



42 



Other Poems. 

O, the joyous days of Sprinj^-tiiiR', 

They are sweetest of the year ! 
May we well know how to prize them, 

For their beauty and their cheer ! 
Let us praise the j^lorious Giver, 

And be thankful while we sinj;, 
For the blessings and rejoicings 

Of another happy Spring ! 



AFTER THE STORM. 



Last night the storm in its fury fell; 

Beneath its horrid frown, 
Earth seemed for a brief while changed to Hell, 

And torrents came fiercely down — 

In a mad, wild rush came down. 

But lo ! how sweetly doth Morning smile ! 

She is like an angel bright, 
Whom naught can make sorrowful, naught defile ! 

The storm, like a demon sprite. 
Has passed. Earth is peaceful. The air breathes balm, 
The sky is azure, the sea is calm. 



TJic Violets. 43 



THE VIOLETS. 



I miss them in the valley, 

I miss them by the brook. 
Whose quiet waters dally 
In many a lovely nook, 
I miss them on the velvety lawn; 
I miss them on the rugged mount — 
I miss them by the murmuring fount — 
Alas ! the violets are gone. 

Why should I heed the going 
Of such an humble tlower.-' 
Flowers far more showy are blowing 
Around me every hour — 
Flowers radiant — roseate as the dawn — 
Flowers white and dazzling as the snow — 
Flowers golden as the sun's own glow — 
Alas ! the violets are gone. 

I love them, O, I love them, 

Those Ifowers that wear the hue 
Of the pure heavens above them — 
Most sweetly, mildly blue ! 
Though iiowers more splendid smile upon 

This globe of ours — flowers gorgeous — grand- 
Dear are those blossoms meek and bland. 
Alas ! the violets are eone. 



44 Otiur /\>cins. 



AT PARTING. 



As the \'ears — r;ij)itl yi;ars — niox'c onward- 
As the years — changeful years — go by, 

May my mein'ry to thee be ever 
Like a star in a tranquil sky. 

We shall meet — ah, never, never, 
(Save in the Land of Dreams) 

Till ^\•e rove in Regions Supernal, 
l)eside eternal streams. 

Words — sighs — tears — all are fruitless — 
The cup cannot from us pass; 

We may not shun — we must (]uaff it — 
Most bitter cup, alas ! 

It i/inst be — we must sever; 

But ///_)' mem'r}' a\e shall be 
Like the sun, in splendor shining 

(^n m\' wa\' across Life's Sea. 



F/ozi'crs. 45 



FLOWERS. 



The world is besprinkled with flowers — 

Flowers fragrant, unsullied and sweet; 
They bloom where the mountain towers, 

They bloom in the vale at my feet. 
The flowers that my love loved best 

Are around me everywhere. 
But, alas! she will wear themno more on her breast, 

Nor entwined with her gold-hued hair. 

O, flowers! she worshipped 3'our hues,- — 

She adored your exquisite breath ! 
All lonel}' I wander and muse 

On the m}'stery men call death. 
Her cheeks are robbed of their bloom — 

She slumbers in earth's cold breast ! — 
I scatter, with tears, on the turf of her tomb 

The flowers that my love loved best ! 



46 Other Poems. 



THE CITY BY THE SEA. 



O. splendid was that City — 
That vast and marvellous City ! 
Most gorj^eons were its palaces — most lofty its towers and 
spires — 

Its temples vast and glorious — 
Its bannered hosts victorious — 
There poets sang sublimely — noble minstrels touched their 
lyres ! 

But upon that stately City 
(Oh, who wept not in deepest pity?) 
A terrible doom — a most horrible doom — an appalling doom 
was sent ! 

Ah ! Earth, so quiet, so slumbrous seeming, 
Suddenly ceased placidly dreaming. 
And muttered in wrath — trembled with wrath — with measure- 
less wrath long pent ! 

With tiercely-heaving bosom, under 

That fated City Earth spoke in thunder — 

Like an ireful monster uttered a most loud and menacing 

roar — 

And, with rapid downward motion. 

Made for wildly-sweeping Ocean 

A bed whereon its billows dread should rest forevermore ! » 



The City bv tlic Sea. 



47 



And upon that queenl}- City — 

Ah, that too haughty City ! 
Where abode the great and mighty, crowned with honors 
manifold. 

The Deep rushed in madness — 

In maniacal gladness — 
In demoniacal rapture o'er it furiously rolled ! 

Sank those palaces domed and golden — 

Sank those temples huge and olden — 
Sank — forever sank that City, far-famed, storied, powerful, 
grand ! 

The waters — ruthless waters ! gleaming 

Above it tranquilly are dreaming. 
Desolate — ay, most desolate is that erst most populous strand ! 




48 Otiur Ponus. 



O. THE LlLIi:S! 



O, the lilies, the beautiful lilies. 

The lilies that bloom in the field ! 
What lessons, what <;lorious lessc^ns, 

What marvellous lessons they yield — 
What lessons of infinite wisdom 

l^y them unto Man are re\ealed ! 

O, the lilies, the odorous lilies, 

The lilies that float on the lake ! — 

Sno\v\- lilies, immaculate hlies, 

^^'hich the blue \\a\elets laughingly shake — 

Lilies white as the rol^es of the angels I— 
What rapture in us they awake ! 

(), the lilies, the orient lilies. 

The lilies that deck tlie parterre ! — 

Gay lilies, magnificent lilies, 

Lilies gaud\' — most gorgeous — most rare — 

Oh ! no potentate, throned, crowned and sceptred, 
E\er shone in such garb as they wear! 

O, hlies, prcjfoundly sage lilies. 

How sweet is the lore that you teach ! 

O, hlies, (), elocpient lilies. 

How grand are the sermons you preach ! 

How sublime, how soid-stirring your language — 
Your unworded, unsjioken speech ! 



O. the Lillics! 49 

O, lilies, O, magical lilies ! 

Still bloom — still enchantingly bloom ! 
Ah, worthy your mission — -most noble ! 

Ye banish our sadness and gloom: — 
Ye remind us of Gardens unfading 

In Regions beyond the dread tomb. 




50 Other J\>ciNS. 



QUT^TRT^INS. 



CONDOLENCE. 



Sing me no lightsome ditty, 
Nor tell me all woe is brief; 

The}' only know how to pit\', 

\\\-\o have felt the self-same grief. 



NEW SCENES. 



Let the grim hermit dwell where none intrudes; 

I love new scenes with fresh enchantments rife: 
He who hath passed through most vicissitudes 

Knows most of life. 



SWEETEST OF ALL. 



There are manifold things enchanting 

In Nature and in Art, 
But the sweetest of all things earthly 

Is the love of a gentle heart. 



Quatrains. 5 ^ 



BURDENS. 



Bear ye one another's burdens; 

So fulfill the law of love. 
Priceless crowns shall be your guerdons, 

In the Land of Rest above. 



LINES WRITTEN IN AN ALBUM. 



The flowers that bloom on the lea 
Will fade and will wither away, 

But, Dear Friend! my remembrance of thee 
Can never grow dim or decay. 



FROST-PICTURES. 



Lo, there are wondrous pictures on my window-pane ! 
Castles, with turrets rising grandly high, — 
Cities, with bright spires towering to the sky. 

Like angel fingers pointing tow'rd Heaven's fair Domain. 



52 Other Poems. 



1"xi)i:r blue skiiis. 



Gayly we j^lidc o'er Life's maiNellous ocean ! 

Beautiful prospects enchautin^ly rise: 
Sweet is the voyage — safe and free from eoninioticju — 
Under blue skies ! 

Royalh', ro}ally skim we the billows — 

O, grandly our l)ark o'er the sunn\- deej) hies! 
Bright thoughts glad our days and bright flreams bless our 
pillows, 

Under blue skies ! 

No peril arises — no cN'il betides us ! 

Hope is our pilot — seraphic her guise — 
Supernal her voice ! — Ah, most sweetly she guides us, 
Under blue skies ! 

Woe — sable-browed Woe — we forevermore banish ! 
What ha\'e av to do with dull weeping and sighs? 
A\aunt, Uare and Fear ! — Like dim phantoms they vanish. 
Under blue skies ! 

W^ith those whom we love and revere truly near us, — 
\\'ith all Lox'e bestows — naught to us Love denies — 
How much hath Lxistence to charm and t(^ cheer us. 
Under blue skies ! 



Liiidcr Blue Skies. 53 

O, fade not, thou Paradisiacal vision ! 

Thou wilt not — thou wilt not ! — still ravish our eyes ! 
We glide — let us doubt not — to regions Elysian, 
Under blue skies ! 

May the drear darksome cloud and the dread tempest never 

To menace our peace and enjoyment arise: 
May our voyage on Life's main be henceforth, aye and ever, 
Vnder blue skies ! 




54 OtJicr Pocins 



IN AUGUST 



A silver haze on the hills is lyinj^"; 

The ambient fields are like seas of gold: 
Earth seems with regions Supernal vieing; 

Her beauties and glories are manifold. 

But e'en 'mid the Hush and blush of morning, 
E'en 'mid the glitter and glare of noon, 

We catch a vague, yet real, warning 

Of sombre days that will come full soon; — 

Of days when the flowers shall cease their blooming, 
And sweet-voiced songsters cease their lays, 

When the golden sun, in gray skies glooming. 
Shall grudgingly yield his glorious rays; — 

When the wandering winds shall sigh in sadness 
For the vanished splendors of earth and sky. 

And, wilder growing, shall rave in madness. 
As bleaker, darker days draw nigh. 

Ah, Autumn ! soon wilt thou come hither ! 

With fingers ruthless, frosty and cold, 
Thou wilt touch the flowers — their forms will wither — 

Thou wilt make the landscape drear to behold. 

Yet fondly, lovingly Summer dallies. 

Unwilling her joyous reign to cease, 
While over the hills and over the valleys 

Broodeth a universal peace; — 



/// AiiiTust. 



55 



A welcome quiet unmarred, unbroken, 
A sacred silence, a Sabbath calm, 

A prayer unbreathed, a blessing unspoken, 
A solemnly beautiful wordless psalm. 

O, when the Summer of life is fading. 
And soberer thoughts our minds engage, 

May a calm as restful, our souls pervading. 
Herald the coming Autumn of Age ! 




56 Other Poems. 



PICTURES OF THE PAST. 



I see them at dewy morning, 

I see them at glowing- noon, 
I see them at purple gloaming, 

And at night "neath the argent moon;- 
I see them at solemn midnight, 

In Dreamland's halls so vast, 
Fair Memory's peerless paintings. 

Sweet pictures of the Past. 

Naught can obscure the splendor 

Of a past day's cloudless sky. 
To-day dark clouds ma}' gather. 

Angry winds rush wildly b\'. 
But in the scene before me 

There is neither cloud nor blast. 
Nothing can dim the radiance 

Of this picture of the Past. 

I gaze on orient flowers 

That ne'er can fade awa\'. 
On stately verdurous forests 

Whose leaves can ne'er decay; — 
On sunny brows of beaut\' 

That grief can ne'er o'ercast. 
O, naught excels in sweetness 

Fair pictures of the Past ! 



Pictures of the Past. 57 

I j^aze on silver rivers, 

I gaze on sapphire seas, 
On lofty snow-crowned mountains, 

On far-extending leas; 
On many a marvellous city. 

Magnificent and vast. 
Ah, what a world of grandeur 

In pictures of the Past ! 

I see the olden, golden 

Haunts of sweet childhood days; 
With what transcendent rapture 

On them once more I gaze ! 
The simple priceless treasures 

In those glad days amassed 
Lie, as of yore, before me. 

In pictures of the Past! 

Once more I see the loved ones 

Whose spirit-wings unfurled 
Long, long since softly bore them 

Far, far above the world; 
Once more their smiles of greeting 

As of old on me are cast. 
Ah, blessed, ever blessed 

Are these pictures of the Past ! 

O, Memory, wondrous limner. 

With skill beyond compare! 
Restore scenes olden — golden — 

Portray the pure and fair; — 
Paint glorious, glorious pictures ! 

Oh! long as life may last, 
My soul shall view with fondness 

Sweet pictures of the Past 1 



58 Other Poems. 



LIFE. 



A little of pleasure, a little of pain, 

A little of toil and of strife, 
A little of sunshine, a little of rain, — 
Such is life ! 

A few fragile hopes and not a few fears. 

Anxiety evermore rife, 
A few flitting smiles followed closely by tears, - 
Such is life ! 

A little of hate and a little of love — 

Bereavement that stabs like a knife — 
Mournful eyes wistfully looking above — 
Such is life ! 



Th: By-gone Smmncr. 59 



THE BY-GONE SUMMER, 



The gardens are gorgeous with roses, 

Gay birds are warbhng rare lays; 
Fair Nature her wealth discloses 

To Man's admiring gaze: 
But something, alas! I miss from the earth, 

Something I miss from the sky; 
I fruitlessly long for the music and mirth 

Of a beautiful Summer gone by! 

The grandeur and the gladness 

Of the summer that smiles now 
Can not dispel the sadness 

That clouds my heart and brow! 
The heavens, perchance, are as blue and mild, 

And the roses as sweet to the eye. 
Yet they seSm not to me like those that smiled 

In that radiant Summer gone by. 

O, days so full of sweetness — 

Of rare — most rare delight — 
Ye sped with angels' fleetness! — 

O, days so bright — so bright — 
My wishes can not restore your hours; 

I vainly, vainly sigh 
For your faded rays and your perished flowers, 

O, glorious Summer gone by! 



6o 



Otiur rocuis. 



All, by^'onc Suininer! thy glory 

Was enhanced by a lovely face; 
Life's bloom was transitory — 

She lies in Earth's cold embrace! 
I yearn for the clasp of a snowy hand — 

For the j^lance of a sapphire eye — 
For the light of tresses thy soft winds fanned, 

O. wonderfnl Summer gone by! 

Summers ma}' come and vanish, 

With their fragrance and their bloom, — 
Their splendor ne'er can banish 

M\' spirit's inmost gloom. 
But be patient, my soul! F)eyond earth's pain, 

In God's Summer-Land on high. 
Where parting comes not, we ma)- meet — we twain 

Who loved in that Summer gone by! 




Sonnet to the Pyrnvtids. 6 1 



SONNET TO THE PYRAMIDS. 



Grandly ye tower amid the desolate waste, 
Huge monuments of centuries gone by ! 
While those who reared your forms forgotten lie- 

Their history forevermore effaced. 

Giants of Stone! B}' cloudless skies embraced, 
Ye rise so proudly, gloriously high. 
With earth's sublime, immovable peaks ye vie; 

Like them ye stand and cannot be abased. 

Cities have flourished and yielded to Decay; 
Empires have risen and fallen: surviving all. 
Ye look with scorn on evanescent things ! 

So shall ye stand till all things pass away — 
Yea, till this vast globe shall in fragments fall, 
Doomed to destruction bv the King of Kings! 



62 Other Poems. 



THE OASIS. 



Lo, like an isle 'mid sombre sweep of sea, 

The green oasis in the desert lies ! 

Here clearest fountains mirror clearest skies; 
Here gracefully rises many an emerald tree, 
Wherein gay songsters voice their guileless glee; 

Here the most ravishing flowers enchant mine eyes! 

Here smiling Nature bounteously supplies 
All that man needs that he may happy be. 
Behold! A caravan doth hither come! 
With what delight the weary pilgrims hail 

This blessed spot! Long they yon waste have trod. 
With joy o'ercome, their fevered lips are dumb ! 
Thev quaff the streams which never, never fail: — 

Anon their voices rise in thanks to G(jd. 



The Destroyed City. 63- 



THE DESTROYED CITY. 



There Opulence had his stately Hall, 

And Fashion her votaries gay; 
Bounded by impregnable wall, 
Loomed her palaces grand and tall. 
(No foe could appall her — no forces enthrall her.) 
In a moment — a flying moment — all. 

Mirage-like, melted away. 

For the Mountain of Fire that soared far higher 

Than loftiest spire or tower. 
Heaped tower and spire in a peerless pyre — 

Whelmed all in a burning shower. 

With exultant roar, did the Demon out-pour 

The vials of his wrath, 
And with his breath send woe and death 

To every mortal's path. 

The Earthquake woke, and with sudden stroke 

Cleft the ghastly ruins in twain; 
Wide gaped the earth and with hellish mirth 

Gulped down the fiery rain. 

The palace proud and the hovel were bowed, 

And lay in one smouldering heap; 
And the beggar-wight and the man of might 

Slept together the last long sleep. 



64 Oilier J\)ci//s. 

Loft}- Hiitl Kjwiy (all sinful — nunc holy) 

Were plunged in a common tomb; 
Youthful and old and craven and bold 

Alike met fearful doom. 

And none escaped, wheresoe'er they shaped 

Their course, — ay, none could ffee— [them, 

The raj^inp: earth shook them, — the fierce flame o'ertook 
And dcN'oured them with horrible ^iee. 

(), peacefull}' Morn came to adorn 

Peak, vale and amlnent wood; 
But her beams lit only a waste black and lonely 

Where late the vast C'ity st(wd. 

Ah, at the wnd and l)eck (jf God 

The Mountain sent forth its flame; 
And upon that City too vile for pity 

Heaxen's righteous vent^eance (^ame. 




The Falling Lca-vcs. 65 



THE FALLING LEAVES. 



The leaves are falling! Softly, one by one, 

They loose their hold on many a swaying limb, 
And, fluttering, drop amid the wood-aisles dim, 

To lie obscure, uncomely, wrinkled, dun. 

In spots damp, drear, unvisited by the sun. 
A dirge — a requiem — a most mournful hymn 
The wild winds voice above their untombed forms. 
Ah! grim 

And pitiless Winter his prelude hath begun! 

O, falling leaves! — Plaintive-voiced falling leaves! 

Once ye were beauteous — now ye are not so;— 

Once ye were gay — ye are no longer gay! 

With you, in sympathy, Man's spirit grieves! 

Ye call to mind a sad, sad truth we know, — 

That earthly loveliness must pass away! 



66 Other Ponns. 



NOVEMBER. 



The \alley is lilled with a sea of mist, 

The village lies submerged below; 
Over its spires, no more sun-kissed, 

The sombre vapor-billows flow. 
The world is desolate! I have known 
No gloomier day, among all that ha\'e f^own. 
The flowers are dead and the bare woods moan, 

For this is dreary November. 

O, for a bright, reviving ray — 

O, for a glimpse of the sunlight's gold! 
The sky is gray and the sea is gray. 

Gray is the landscape and drear to behold. 
Wan Sadness comes with the cheerless hours, 
Crosses the the threshold — haunts the bowers — 
Ah! we sigh for the solace of sun and fiowers, 
In cloudy, dreary November. 

One thought is evoked by cloud and blast — 
By earth and sky in their garb of woe: — 

Youth's sunny days will not always last, 
Nor Beauty's roses fore\'er glow. 

Every soul, however ga}". 

Must know full many a darksome day, 

When youth and bloom shall have passed away- 
Each life must have its November. 



The Haunted Mansion. 6/ 



THE HAUNTED MANSION. 



Gloomy, but grand, it rises nobly high, 

Amid huge emerald circumambient trees. 

Fair vines, whose beautiful blossoms scent the breeze. 

Clamber till on its very roof they lie. 

Proudly its cupola points to the sky ! 

Round it lie lawns as smooth as summer seas; 

Nature and Art are there combined to please, 

But none will dwell within those walls or nigh. 

All there seems dead till midnight's solemn hour, 

And then (so gossiping villagers declare) 

A mysterious light at one high window gleams; 

And by that light a form is seen to cower 

Like one in mortal terror or despair. 

Then fade away — like those beheld in dreams. 



68 Other PociJis. 



THIC CHIHUANDASSI. 



There is i iiiuuntain in Mexico, upcnwiiuse spiu-ious sunimil exists a vine 
which has the power of motion, and an invariable tendency quickly to approach 
and entwine itself about whatever happens to come near it. The natives have 
many traditions concerning it, and many travellers and ad\ enturers are said to 
have perished by bein^t;- caught and crushed by its powerful serpentine tendrils. 
This vine is called the Strangler, and the mountain, the Chihuandassi, or, Table 
Of The Dead Men. 



Ah. fasciiKLtin,!.^- seems the Mountain. 

Chid in Morning's gohi array ! 
Up, past nuuu- a silver fountain. 

T]iroujj;-h (^acti thorny, — o'er boulders ^'ray, — 
I slowly press, the weird, dread mesa scaling: 

I pause and up\\-ard ga/e. 
Far, far al)o\'e in Heaven an eagle sailing 
Shrieks, as if some untoward fate bewailing. 
O'er the cliff's jagged brow a vine is trailing; 

As if wind-tossed, it sways. 

Suddeidx' an unsj)eakable terror 

Thrills — chills my bosom's core ! 
Those mar\-ellous tales deemed but the breath of Error 

Mere superstitious lore — 
Tales of this Height recur with ten-fold power. 

To haunt my (piickened soul ! 
How silent — how oppressive is the hour! 
Xo errant breeze sporteth with leaf or flo\\'er; 
No bird-song floats from any adjacent bower. 

I near, at length, the goal. 



I'lic Chihiiaiidassi. 69 

'Tis reached! My wayward heart controlling, 

I look! — What greeteth me? 
Lo, yonder — rolling — rolling — rolling — 

Seems a tempestuous sea ! 
O, Thou to \\'hom my spirit yields devotion ! 

In dread I call to Thee ! 
The Vine! — The Vine! — The Strangler! 'Tis in motion 
Far, far and wide, in wa\'es like those of Ocean! 
Tow'rd me 'tis surging — 'tis no groundless notion ! 

I turn — I haste — I tiee ! 

Ah, Peak mysterious! Dead Men's Table, 

Where bleacheth many a skull I 
Thou art, indeed, no dream, no fable. 

The credulous to gull! 
Round many a form those iron tendrils wreathing 

Have clung till life ^\■as past ! 
That living tide is round mc swirling, seething, 
M}' limbs those merciless coils will soon be sheathing ! 
One effort more ! — more freely I am breathing — 

Thank Ciod!— Safe !— Safe at last! 



70 Other Poriiis. 



IF WE wri.i.. 



We may walk, if wc will, in sadness, 
With dark and downcast c}e; 

We may walk, if we will, in gladness, 
^^"ith scarce a sorrowfnl sigh. 

To mourn forever is madness ! 
Look up to the orient sky ! 



THE DYING DAY. 



The day is slowly dyinj^-. In the west 

Softly fade sunset's hues so bright, so gay; 

The sky hath purple grown — anon 'tis gray. 
Afar on the horizon's rolling crest 
Light struggles now with darkness. O'er earth's breast 

The victor's car rolls on its trackless way; 

Night, sombre Night, holds now her silent sway: 
Gladly the toiler welcomes well-Nvon rest. 
The day is dead, the summer day is dead — 

The day so full of promise at its birth ! 

What hath it brought, O, love, to thee and me? 
Ah, rapidly its sunn\- moments sped! 

With them came jo}s and hopes of countless worth — 
Hopes of fresh joys in glorious days to be! 



Bunker Hill Moniiinciit. J I 



BUNKER HILL MONUMENT. 



It tells of heroes who bled and died 
In the holy cause of Freedom there; 

And we point with never-dying" pride 
To that lofty shaft as it soars in air! 

It tells of patriotism pure — 

Of love for the land so nobly won. 

O, may that love in our hearts endure, 

And our countr}'' endure while shines the sun! 

Majestic structure ! fcjrever tower — 

In never-fading grandeur rise ! 
A warning to tyrants thou art each hour — 

A blessed memorial to our eves! 



72 Otiur Pocuis. 



VIVE LA KEPUBLIOUE! 



How iiKLii}- knaves Ikuc scourj^etl and misruled nien- 
Kna\'es, undisg-uised h\ purple robe and crown! 
With God-like air and tiend-like withering;- frown, 
Wrestinj;- from Ereedom's grasp both sword and pen, 
They made earth one vast prison; — }ea, and when 
Eair \'irtue's peerless tiowers were trampled down — 
Tlien did they laugh as laughs the ignoble clown, 
And mock at Justice o'er and o'er again. 
Despots! your day of glory has gone l)y! 
In this great Land hath Liberty free \'oice; 
She speaks to Man, and all that breathe can hear. 
Soon shall all thrones, howe\'er ]iroudly high, 
From earth be s\\-ept: — all nations shall rejoice, 
And Freedom be triumphant far and near. 



When Ji'c Were Yoiiug. 73- 



WHEN WE WERE YOUNG. 



O, the skies were bluer, brighter, 

Sweeter songs by the birds were sung. 
And our hearts were so much Hghter, 

Long ago, w^hen we were young ! 
How slowly the days crept onward ever! 
We deemed that age could reach us never. 

And we dreamed not that Hope had a siren's tongue! 

Ah, ho\\- little we knew of sorrow! 

Ah, how little we knew of care ! 
Golden always seemed the morrow; 

Never a burden had we to bear I 
Life went on like a pleasant story; 
We had dreams of bliss, we had visions of glory, 

We were strong and eager to do and dare! 

Alas! how swiftly the years are iiymg! 

Life seems now but a wearisome race; 
Careworn, often sorrowing, sighing. 

We follow Hope in an endless chase. 
Full many a prize we seek and capture; 
But where is the grandeur, where the rapture 

That filled our hearts at the starting place.? 



74 Other Poems. 



PRESS ON! 



Press on ! Do doubts and feurs opj^-ess tlice? 

Are strenj^th and coura^^e almost ^one? 
Do trials manifold distress thee? 

Press on — press boldly on! 

Press on ! Let Hope forsake thee never ! 

Darkness shall fiee and day shall dawn: 
Success awaits thee ! Forward ever ! 

Press on — press boldh' on ! 

Seek'st thou wealth? — Fame? — Truth's heavenly 
fountain — 

Wouldst thou a wreath of triumph don? 
Shrink not, however steep the mountain: 

Press on — press boldly on! 

Press on ! Pause not with indecision 

Till opportunity be gone; 
The longed-for goal shall glad thy vision: 

Press on — press boldly on ! 



The Outiaza. 



THE OUTLAW. 



75 



He lurks amid the forest black; 
Death is forever on his track — 
Is near — is round him everywhere — 
And evermore he must beware. 

Ah! by that merciless hand hath blood 
Full often flowed — a reekin<;- flood! 
Why should the Messenger so grim 
Seem dread — seem hideous unto him.^ 

Peace is a stranger tp that breast; 
Never is love therein a guest: 
He knoweth not the joys of home; 
A fugitive ever he must roam. 

An outraged world he hath defied. 

And striveth from its wrath to hide; 

With Earth — with Heaven he long hath warred. 

And is by all that breathe abhorred. 

A price upon his head is set. 
With no compunction — no regret — 
He hath sent many to the tomb. — 
Hath he not merited such doom.' 

E'en Midnight's sable, silent hour 
To soothe his spirit scarce hath power; 
His slumbers teem wdth dreams of strife: 
His days with numberless fears are rife. 



76 



Other l\>cm^ 



Hunted like some dread beast ol \>\'^\ 
l"iercel\' at last he turns at bay — 
l)attlinj4 most desperateh' doth tad. 
And (hetli execratinsj- ad. 



LINES TO THE NEW YEAR. 



Welcome, O, sweeth'-smiling- bright New Year! 
Brinj;- us fresh benisons from the hand of Him 
\\dio bids tlie \'ears with their mutations roll! 
Some tears I drop upon the dead Year's bier, 
But ,qreet thee with a hopj; which nau,i;ht can dim, 
With resohite heart, and with undaunted souh 




/// February. yy 



IN FEBRUARY 



Still a thick mantle of snow obscures Earth's breast, 

And Heaven is veiled with clouds of sombre f^ray; 

Still the fierce North-wind holds relentless sway: 
Still are the streams ^\'ith icy bonds oppressed; 
The forest, still bare, hath no wini^ed son^"ful ^nest — 

Still, still the sweet-voiced birds remain a^'ay. 

Alas! when will the balm\- South-wind play, 
And Earth with sun, flowers, verdure, song" be blest? 
Patience, sad heart ! there will be brighter hours ! 
The landscape will be green, the ^^'elkin blue; 
Soft fragrance-laden airs will sweetl}' blow: 
Streams wull be free; ^^'oods gay; there \\i\\ be fio\\'ers; 
Glad birds their strains of rapture will renew: 
Heaven will be cloudless, earth be all aelow ! 



78 Other Poems. 



THE SILENT CITY. 



A \voiKlroas city ! M:ir\'ellously white 
Are all its iiKinsions, palaces and towers. 
Oblivion here is throned 'mid rarest flowers, 

And here the. day is silent as the nij^ht. 

Mindless alike of darkness and of lij^ht — 

Foul weather or fair — sweet sunshine or bleak showers- 
Of all that passes in this world of ours — 

The dwellers slumber, notin,i;" not Time's flij;ht. 

Lo! on an obelisk of snow-white stone 

A raven gloomily sits, but j^ives no sound. 

Streets, avenues, squares are voiceless and untrod. 

None wake to sigh, and none in slumber moan. 
In rayless halls, the multitudes around 

Dreamless await the wakening voice of God. 



Ode to Yoscviitc Falls. 79 



ODE TO YOSEMITE FALLS. 



Dash on, O, Cataract, in thy might ! 
Leap, leap from yon stupendous height 
To the Vale below — most glorious sight!- 

Down — down — forever down — 
Rush from the steep's Titanic crown. 
O'er cliffs that, awe-inspiring, frown ! 

Soaring prey-birds bathe their wings — 
Exultant — free — most fearless things! 
In the spray thy torrent flings — 



t-^ 



As, skirting the precipice, they seek 
An aerie on some distant peak — 
And in thee oft dip thirst}- beak. 

Night and day — -forevermore — 
Making a most thunderous roar, 
Th}' vast libation thou dost pour^ — 

An offering unto Him whose Hand 
So fashioned thee — at whose command 
Arose these heights so huge and grand ! 



8o Otlui- J\>ii/is. 

O. how inaf;niticent thcni art! 
With enrajitured soul and heart, 
I j^ra/e — and fain would not de}KU"t! 

I'^dl iiKun- thus ha\e stcjod by tlicc; 
V\\]\ numy thy j^iories yet shall see, 
In \ears — in centuries to be; — 

iMdl many a bard shall on thee ^'aze, 
And, enchanted, yield thee praise, 
In sublime and soulful lays. 

Mi<;hty Cascade ! with joy I brin^^ 
To thee a j^oet's offering; — 
Acce]->t the heart-felt sonj;- I sing! 



.-TT 




J:.-:'i-ni!ie'- 



<Si 



E\EXIXG. 



O, Vesper Hour! thy loN'elincss I prize ! 
Thy peaceful scenes I passionately love ! 
A world of poetry I hnd in thee, 
O, Evenin,!;-! — in th\' crimson and violet skies. 
In thy tranquility below, abo\'e ! 

What beautiful thouphts thou dost sugpest to me! 



82 Other rocms. 



SWEET MOON. SIL\EK MOON. 



Sweet Moon, silver Moon, 

Sailing" through the skies. 
Softly shine, O, softly shine 

Where my lo\'ed one slunih'ring lies! 
Though o'er her couch th\- radiance streams, 
She wakes not to behold thy beams; 
Thou canst not charm her with thy gleams: 

Closed forever are her eyes. 
Sottl}' shine, O, argent Moon, 

^^'here asleep ni}' lo\-ed one lies. 

Sweet Moon, silver Moon, 

Sinking in the west. 
Gentl}' throw thy parting beams 

Where my loved one lies at rest. 
Gently pierce the churchyard's gloom; 
Gently touch the flowers that bloom 
On the green turf of her tomb — 

Kiss the sod above her breast: 
Mildly beam. O. waning- Moon, 

On my lo\'ed one's place of rest. 



SyvipatJiy. 83 



SYMPATHY. 



As falls the rain on the thirst}^ land, 

On the withering" grass and the drooping flowers, 
As falls the sunshine soft and bland 

On the grateful earth after night's bleak hours; 
So, in vine-wreathed cot, or in princely halls, 

Wherever Sorrow has thrown a dart, 
A word of heart-felt sympathy falls 

On a wounded, bleeding heart. 

Has a soul's bright hope been swept away. 

Even as a leaf on a wintry blast? 
Is a spirit that once was sunny and gay 

By affliction's darksome cloud o'ercast? 
By sympathy let thy heart be stirred; 

O, haste to give, if thou canst, relief! 
Though it cost thee naught, a kindly word 

Will lighten a load of grief. 

Let thy mission fore^•er be, 

Where'er thou art — where'er thou may'st go — 
The world from pain and sorrow to free. 

To waken joy and banish woe. 
With words of comfort — sweet rays of gold — 

Dispel life's clouds, wheresoever they frown; 
Heaven will requite thee with bliss untold, 

And award thee a priceless crown. 



84 " Otiur 1\h))is. 



AT REST 



'There remaineth therefore a rest. 



The eyes are closed, they will see no more 
The chanceful scenes of this earthly shore; 
The hands are folded — their tasks are o'er — 
They will move no more, till within Heaven's door 

They strike a ,^lad harp 'mid the Blest: 
The feet that were once so busy are still. 
No lonfa,er they tread paths thorny and chill; 
Thev ^^■ill walk no more, no more, until 
They wander o'er fadeless vale and hill. 

In the World where the weary rest. 

A wasted form, once fair and proud, 
Slumbers, wrapt in a snow-white shroud; 
The spirit, with m\'stic win^s endowed, 
Hath sped be\'ond the farthest cloud. 

Unfettered, imoppressed: 
Earth could not keep the tired soul; 
Free from mortal care and control. 
In a measureless lii,i;ht it hath sout^ht its Goal, 
\\'here, while uncounted aj^es roll. 

The weary are at rest. 



The RctiiDi of Spring. 

Life's manifold trials at length are past. 
Life's heavy burdens aside are cast: 
Life's hopes and fears are ended at last. 
Ne'er, ne'er shall Misfortune's merciless blast 

Break the peace of that motionless breast. 
O, Father of All ! in thy Home on high, 
Thou hearest e^•ery anguished cry. 
Each moan of pain, each bitter sigh. 
Thou biddest Care and Sorrow fly. 

And givest the weary rest. 



THE RETURN OF SPRING. 



Lo, Winter hath relaxed his icy clasp ! 

The heavens display a brighter, fresher blue. 
And Nature smiles once more in quiet gladness 
Ah! soon will flowers spring up to meet our grasp; 
Soon will the landscape wear its emerald hue, 
And hours of joy atone for hours of sadness. 



86 Other Pocjiis. 



thp: brooklet 



Thou com'st from the pine-clothed mountain, 
Down throuji^'h the rocl<-stre\\n glen, 

Making most beautiful music 
For the ears of weary men. 

Thou warblest songs enchanting — 

Songs that reach the heart — 
Lays far surpassing in sweetness 

The proudest strains of Art; — 

Songs of rest for the burdened, 

Of solace for the sad, 
Of hope for the gloomy and downcast, 

And pagans for the glad. 

Thy noble mission is endless; 

Unceasingly, night and day, 
Thou carol'st in sweet contentment. 

As thou hastenest on th}- wa\'. 

Through sweet and cool recesses 

Thou rapidl}' windest down. 
Till at length thou placidly stealest 

Through the lovely and pleasant town; 



The Brooklet. 

Then deepening, broadening ever, 
Serenely thou glidest afar, 

Reflecting the tranquil heavens, 
And sun and moon and star. 

Like thine, O, silver Brooklet, 
May my life's current flow 

Melodiously and sweetly, 
A blessing to all below; 

May it deepen and broaden ever. 

Unsullied, like to thee, 
Till, a noble, majestic river. 

It shall reach Eternity's Sea. 



87 




88 Other Pnriiis. 



NEVER DESPAIR. 



O. thou who art with sorrow bowed, 

Despair not ! Cease th}- dreary repining;- ! 

Have hope ! Beyond griefs darkest cloud, 
The sun of gladness is sweetly shining ! 

Though the storm be wrathful, wild and loud, 
Keep heart, and watch for the Silver Lining! 



The Charii'-cablc FUnvcr. 89 



THE CHANGEABLE FLOWER. 



Botanists have recently made a remarkable discovery in Tehuantepec, Mexico, 
establishing- the fact that the native "Hinta" has a flower that changes its color 
three times a day in tavorable weather. At morning it is white, at noon it is 
red, at evening it is blue. This extraordinary blossom emits its perfume only 
two hours out of every twenty-four- -from 11 a. M. to 1 p. m. 



At morn 'tis white as the beautiful snow, 
When it falls from Heaven to Earth below — 
When in stainless mantle it wraps the globe- 
White — Oh ! white as an angel's robe ! 

At noontide a gorgeous garb it wears; 
Deepest red is the hue it bears — 
'Tis red as the wine-cup's ruddy glow. 
Ay, red as the life-tide's crimson flow. 

At eve it hath an azure hue; 
'Tis sweetly — O, divinely blue ! — 
Blue as some Beauty's witching eye. 
Blue as the cloudless heavens on high. 

Sweet is the breath of that marvellous flower; 

But not in every passing hour, 

Upon the circumambient air, 

It wafts around its fragrance rare. 



go Other Poems. 

As midday approaches, its exquisite scent. 
Sweeter, methinks, for being long pent, 
Grateful to every passer-by, 
Is borne abroad on the soft wind's sigh. 

When the dazzling splendor of noonday dies. 
And the sun doth pass to western skies, 
That delicate odor none may inhale. — 
On the morrow again 'twill lade the gale. 

Bloom on, lovely flower, in thy Southern land. 

Kissed by breezes balmy and bland ! 

A bard in the North-land, far away. 

As a tribute to thee, breathes forth this lay. 




The Cyclone. 9 1 



THE CYCLONE. 



Serene was the earth and serene was the sky 
From morning till midday — till midday passed by; 
But ere in the west the bright day-orb sank down, 
A muttering cloud rose with Stygian frown. 

As the prey-bird descends on the quarry below — 
As the condor descends on the dreamy-eyed doe — 
As descends the bold eagle — as a demon in mirth — 
So that cloud out of Heaven descended to earth. 

Like an army all horrent with glittering spears, 
So, arrayed in the glory and splendor of years, 
A city with spires on an eminence stood, 
Enwalled by a wide-spreading evergreen wood. 

As the fierce lion bounds through the jungle before. 
In the strength of his rage and the pride of his roar, 
So that blackening cloud hurried out of the west, — 
Like a hasty avenger it paused not for rest. 

And the cedars were bowed like the vassals that tlin^ 
Their faces to earth when approached by their king, 
And that city so stately, so far-famed, so proud — 
Ah, that queenly-throned city was lost in the cloud. 



92 Other Pociiii. 

And tlie Heaven-reaching tower, from summit to base, 
In a moment was shattered Hke some broken vase; 
Mansions, pah\ces, temples were crushed and down-hurled. 
And their fruf^inents like leaves tossed b\- autuinn-<iusts 
whirled. 

And the maiden who waited the hour to be bride, — 
And the youth buoyant-hearted with hope undenied, — 
And the snowy-haired pair — young and old — sad and gay — 
On the Wind-fiend's dark pinions were borne faraway. 

And bare is the face of that eminence now. 
And furrowed for a}-e is its garlandless brow. 
And they whose abodes proudl}- crested that steep 
Dwell no more amid mortals — ah, lowly the}- sleep! 




The Hermit. 93 



THE HERMIT. 



Upon yon mountain's side a hermit dwells, 

Self-prisoned, self-exiled from the haunts of men. 

Like some wild animal in a darksome den. 

Few sounds, save those from far-off village bells, 

Float thither from the ambient world. Where wells 

A green-fringed fount, whose streamlet threads yon glen, 

At times he strays, but, if perceived, again 

He seeks his cavern — gloomiest of cells! 

O, God! let me not live so drear a life! 

Oft, oft let me behold the face of Man — 

Of lovely Woman! — Let me often hear 

The human voice, w^ith kindly accents rife; 

Let me have friends with smiles to cheer life's span, 

And let me die with loved ones lineerinc" near ! 



94 Other Pocnii. 



THE WEST-WIND. 



Softly the west-wind o'er the landscape sighs, 
Bearing" the fragrance of a thousand flowers- 
Rustling the foliage of a thousand bowers. 

Softly it fans the cheek — softly it dies; 

Gently anon it doth once more arise: 

Delicate blossoms on the earth it showers; 
'Mid the tall forest which so proudly towers, 

In murmurs to the song-birds it replies. 

Wind of the West ! still wander o'er earth's breast,. 
Sweet as a breath wafted from Paradise — 
Light as the pressure of an angel's hand ! 

Whisper to all of quietude and rest — 

Of all things peaceful 'neath these halcyon skies- 
Of all things beautiful, of all things bland ! 



Tivilight. 95 



TWILIGHT. 



"When o'er the earth, with dewy mantle, 
She comes, what thoughts of home 

And all the loving dear ones there assembled 
Arise in those who roam ! 

Ever she brings us recollections 

Of glad and bright days past — 
Days that shall live in our remembrance alway — 

Yea, long as life shall last ! 

Ever she bringeth tender mem'ries 

Of those whose days are o'er — 
Visions of those whom we shall fondly welcome 

'Mid earthly scenes no more ! 

•O, moments sacred to reflection — 

To memory and love — 
That move the heart to sweet and gentle feeling, 

And lift the soul above ! 

Ah, 'tis a time for solemn musing. 

And not for thoughtless mirth — 
To view the Past and all its vanished glories — 

When Twilight steals o'er earth ! 



96 Other Pooi/s. 



WITHIN THE HARBOR. 



The deep is white with VcV^e ! Ah ! what strong;- barque 
Couhl for the space of but one fleeting hour 
Brave the wroth element's demoniac power? 

No stars illumine Heaven; 'tis dark — all dark — 

Save \\'hen the lightning sharply flashes: — hark ! 

How loud the tn-eakers' roar! From its high tower, 
The light-house beacon gleams through the fierce shower. 

Athwart the sea, a flickering, faint spark ! 

Outside the Harbor, all is dread and wild! 

Within, how sweetly are the ships at rest. 

No matter though 'tis (fark below, above ! 

So, when life's ocean turbulent grows, God's child 

Reposes, with a calm, untroubled breast. 

Within the Harbor of Almi''ht\' Love. 



The Situ II V Side. 



THE SUNNY SIDE. 



Look not on the dark side of life, 
For the sunny side always is best. 

Be brave in the glorious strife ! 

Let Cheerfulness dwell in thy breast. 

Mourn not for the hopes that were crossed 
By some petty misfortune or ill; 

There are others which may not be lost: 
Though earnest, wait patiently still. 

Walk not in the darkness of doubt 

When Truth beameth brightly and clear: 

Let not thy faith's lamp be put out: 
Despair not — a Helper is near. 

There are shadows that come ev'rywhere. 
To dim the sunlight of the soul, 

And life's burdens we all have to bear. 
For they are beyond our control: 

There are woes that till ev'ry heart. 

And make dreary the pathways of men, 

But the gloom of grief will depart. 

And the brightness of joy come again. 

(3, let us not walk in the dark ! 

Let us trust in the Father above, 
The bow of His promise mark. 

And bask in the sun of His love. 



97 



98 Otiicr Poems. 



AT MORNING. 



Lo, morning in beauty 

Now da^^'ns upon earth ! 
Awaken to dut}' ! 

A new day has birth. 
Birds full of gladness 

Are voicing their glee; 
They banish all sadness, 

And wh}' should not we.^ 

O, whence is thy sorrow.^ 

Those tears — whence are the}? 
Do fears for to-morro^^■ 

Make darksome to-day.' 
Birds full of gladness 

Are voicing their glee; 
The}^ borrow no sadness, 

And pray why should we.' 



V\ 



A So/i_(^ of the Sea. 99 

A SONG OF THE SEA. 



Beautiful Sea ! Majestic Sea! 
Ever changeful — forever free ! 
In grandeur what is like to thee? 
Thou smilest in innocuous glee, 

When kissed by the sunlight golden and warm, 
And anon thou art wrathful as aught can be, 
When over thee sweeps the furious storm ! 
In sublimit}^ what can rival thee. 
Everlasting unmeasured, unfathomed Sea ! 

Mighty Sea! Glorious Sea! 
How gayly the ships go forth on thee! 
But thou canst deceptive and ruthless be — 
Yea, e'en as that creature beneath thy waves, 

Which seemeth to be a beautiful flower, 
Till whatsoever as prey it craves 

Is fully within its grasp of power. '"" 
Oft, oft thou art treacherous, O, Sea! 
To those who trustingly voyage on thee. 

Endless Sea! Eternal Sea! 
When all who with rapture now gaze on thee 
Shall view thee no more — shall cease to be — 
Thou wilt roll as ever thou hast since God 
Formed thy boundaries with His Hand, 
And men o'er thy billows will go abroad. 

And thou wilt by turns be boist'rous and bland — 
Evermore thou wilt be as changeful and free. 
Sempiternal measureless, fathomless Sea! 

^The opelet. 



lOO Other Poems. 



YESTERDAY AND TO-DAY. 



Yesterday's ^one with its sorrows and pleasures — 
Departed — lost in Eternity's Sea! 

Its sad or j^'lad measures, its Icjsses and treasures 
No more shall elate or depress you and me — 
Yesterday's ^one like the clouds that flee. 

To-day the sun is resplendenth' shining; 
Heaven benij^nly shows its blue! 

All fears resigninj^', cease fruitless repining! 
To-day hath treasures for me and for you — 
To-day our sublimest hopes may pro\'e true. 



IIv Old He 



OVIC. loi 



MY OLD HOME. 



In dreams — sweet dreams — I oft revisit thee, 
Dear home, nesthn^- 'mid trees so far away; 
And as in childhood's happy hours of play 

Ah, sunny hours of incomparable giee! 

I tread the old paths, buoyant, blithesome, free! 

Again earth seems to me a Paradise j^ay 

An Age of Gold each swiftly-passing day ! 

Cares, doubts and fears like sombre shadows liee. 

I see the sunshine gild thee as of old, 

I feel the fragrant winds that round thee sigh; 
I wander 'mid the green tields as of yore! 

I waken — other scenes mine eyes behold: 

Those fancies— blissful fancies I— fade and die 

Alas! I am a careworn man once more. 



I02 OtJicr Poems. 



WHERE IS MY YOUTH.^ 



Gone like the frai;rance of a perished rose, 
Gone like the sunshine of a vanished day, 
Gone like a leaf by wild winds swept away; 

Gone like the pure flakes of departed snows, 

Gone like a beautiful dream at slumber's close, 
Gone, gone, alas! forever and for a3'e ! 
Dead are its joys ! Its visions — where are they? 

Ah ! j'outh but once comes — once forever goes ! 

O, youth, sweet youth ! O. ever-sunny youth ! 
Hast thou departed, never to return? 

Are thy glad days with all their pleasures o'er? 

Ah me, ah me ! 'tis sober, sober truth ! 

Though for thine hours even in dreams I yearn, 
They come no more, alas ! they come no more ! 



The Old Scliool-hoiisc. 103 



THE OLD SCHOOL-HOUSE. 



Rank grasses wave where erst it stood; 
The place is desolate and lone: 
All who assembled here" have grown 

To manhood or to w^omanhood. 

Once more I see, with memory's eyes, 
The children as of 3'ore at play; 
In fancy I am young and gay, 

With spirit cloudless as the skies. 

Ah! vanished are those early days! 

Departed is life's golden morn; 

New pleasures and new hopes are born. 
But cherished are youth's haunts and ways. 

Some who with light feet pressed this spot 
Will tread the paths of earth no more; 
For them life's lessons all are o'er — 

Its tasks and all its cares forgot. 

The flowers blow, the grass is green, 
Around my childhood Idol's tomb: 
For her the flowers unfading bloom — 

The flowers but by Immortals seen. 

Not far away the brooklet flows. 

Where, with a fresh and wild delight, 
Full oft we gathered lilies white 

And stainless as untrodden snows. 



104 OtJuT J\>CUL<. 

Near by the willows stand, wh(jse shade, 

When summer noons poured down their rays, 
Gave shelter from the sun's fierce blaze. 

What f^arlands of their boughs we. made! 

Lo, yonder is the well-loved slc4)e, 

Where, when keen Winter heaped his snow, 
We coasted — cheek and soul aj^low — 

Buoyant witli peerless mirth and hope. 

Still smiles enchantin^ly the \'ale. 
In robe of verdure gayly dressed, 
W^here we were wont to rove in quest 

Of the sweet violet meek and pale. 

Ah, loved old structure ! thou art gone ! 
Within thy time-worn walls no more 
Shall young souls gather earthl\- lore — 

No more the needful lesson con. 

Naught here attracts the stranger's gaze; 

Naught marvellous the eye can see; 

Yet 'tis enchanted' ground to me, 
Hallowed h\ memories of old days. 

Still, as the swift years come and go, 
And time on all things leaves its trace, 
This aye shall seem a sacred place — 

Yea, loup' as life shall last below. 



Sttuiincr and Autumn. 1 05 



SUMMER AND AUTUMN. 



Summer, like a faded belle, 

Heavy-hearted, 
Hath regretfully bidden us farewell, 

And departed. 

Autumn, like a gay coquette. 

Forward rushes. 
And strives to enchant us and make us forget 

Summers blushes. 



SONGS OF THE GOLDEN-ROD. 



I. 

A thousand miniature suns 

Illuminate my way — 
Golden flowers of the golden-rod, 

Bright as the orb of day! 

Shine, lovely luminaries, — 
Still shine! — Still softly nod, 

O, Autumn's most enchanting flower- 
Beautiful golden-rod! 



Io6 O titer Poriiis. 

II. 

Aiituinn ! Nxhat wealth thou brinj:;^est 
Wherever thou hast trod, 

We behold what Man so covets — 
Gold — the j;old of the golden-rod ! 

Why need we probe earth's bosom 
In quest of glittering ore? 

Gold ! Gold ! 'tis all around us ! — 
And do we seek for more? 



III. 

Lo ! fringing the russet woodland, 
And the meadows bare and brow'n. 

Waves the majestic golden-rod. 
Brighter than kingly crown! 

In vast, far-reaching masses — 
How splendid to behold ! — 

Wind-swept, it rolls in billows — 
A marvellous sea of gold ! 



Lost Youth. loj 



LOST YOUTH. 



Age is weary, age is dreary! 

Oh! could'st thou at will recall 
The days of youth, so bright, so cheery, 

Would'st thou not relinquish all^ 
All thy hoarded earthly treasures — 
All thy long-sought empty pleasures? 

But canst thou do it? — Never! 
Youth once past is gone forever ! 

Thou may'st search o'er vale and mountain- 
O'er all the world — 'tis sombre truth — 

But thou ne'er canst find the fountain 
Renowned of old — the Fount of Youth ! 

Futile were such quest — 'twere madness — 

Naught can e'er restore youth's gladness; 
Thou canst recall it never ! 

Youth once past is gone forever! 



loS Other Pootis. 



ONLY IX DREAMS. 



Only in dreams we meet attain. 

As young and gay — as buoyant-hearted— 
As fond and hopeful and happy as when 

We met in those days so long departed! 
Onl}' in dreams I see her face. 
Bright with a smile of the old-time grace,— 

Only in dreams — sweet dreams! 

Onl}' in dreams her voice I hear. 

So soft and gentle, so swest and low, — 

As melodious, silvery and clear — 
As thrilling as in the Long Ago! 

Only in dreams her eloquent eyes. 

Cerulean as the Summer skies. 
Reply to mine — only in dreams. 

Thus only we meet beneath the tree. 
Under whose boughs so oft we met 

When eve made halcyon land and sea; — 
Ah, moments my soul can ne'er forget! 

Only in dreams our lips unite — 

Love's holy seal — ah, onl\- in bright 
And unforfrotten dreams ! 



Only in Dreams. 

Only in Dreamland, side by side, 

We stray together, as of 3'ore, 
Where softly-rippling waters glide. 

She walks — ^white-robed — another shore — 
The Shore of Heaven's gorgeous golden Sea 
She walks with seraphs, who walks with me 

Only in dreams — in dreams. 

O, Earth ! how dark thou seem'st — how drear — 
When I awake to thy sounds and sights ! 

O, Land whose skies are always clear — 

Where years have no winters — days no nights ! 

When shall I tread thy marvellous Shore, 

AVith her whom I behold no more, 
Save in dreams — onlv in dreams.^ 



109 




I lO Other Poems. 



A SEPTEMBER IDYL. 



No sullen clouds mar the unfading" 

Expanse on hii;h: 
A restful quiet is pervading" 

Earth, sea and sky. 
(lay colors doth the forest wear; 
Crimson leaves [;lo\v here and there, 
(jolden ones tioat everywhere. 
Delicious coolness hath the air. 

For this is golden September — 

Beautiful golden September! 

\'anished are Summer's brilliant hours; 

Her songsters gay 
Have ceased their songs; her gorgeous liowers- 

Where, where are they.'' 
Gone — all are gone ! but who will cast 
Looks of regret on bright days past, 
While days so calm, so halcyon last, 
And all the splendors that thou hast, 

O, golden September.' — 

Beautiful golden September [ 



The Ruined Palace. 1 1 1 



THE RUINED PALACE. 



;Here once was Royalty in all its glory ! 

What splendor was consigned to moth and rust ! 
He who here swayed a sceptre sleeps in dust: 
The warrior-princes fell in battles gory. 
The rent walls silently relate a story 

Of past magnificence and pomp. Here lust 
Of power and pride were rife ! The scornful gust 
Flouts the huge mass. — Ah, all is transitory! 
• Once gorgeous structure ! thou art but as all 
Man's edifices shall become at last ! 
Stupendous pile, doomed to inanity! 
Even as I tread this echoing desolate hall, 
I hear a voice heard in an age long past, 
Solemnly saying, "All is vanity!" 



112 Other J\>c-!iis. 



AT LAST. 

When the (hirk clcnuls of Winter 

Obscure the sweet skies, 
And the heavenly azure 

No more glacis our eyes, 
.One sohice is (~)urs, 

'Mid storm and blast; 
We know lovely Spring 

W'ill come — at last. 

At last the drear clouds 

^^'ill vanish away. 
And Heaven will smile 

All the livelong day; 
Earth's garment <^f snow 

Will aside be cast, 
And lily and rose 

Will bloom — at last. 

W'hen \\'e pine 'mid the Winter 

Of earthly woe, 
And blasts are bitter 

And clouds hang low, 
Hope softly whispers: 

"'Twill soon be past; 
Joy's radiant Spring-time 

Will come — at last." 

At last the trials % 

That \"ex the soul 
Like the clouds so darksome 

Away will roll — 



At Last. 113 



Will be lost as the clouds are 

In sky-depths so vast. 
We shall dwell in the sunshine 

Of gladness — at last. 

At last all the sorrows 

Of life will cease; 
At last all life's tumult 

Will end in peace: 
The years — weary years — 

Are flying fast, 
And rest — perfect rest — 

^^"ill come — at last. 

At last we shall slumber 

In dreamless beds. 
And roses will blossom 

Above our heads; 
Whether skies be bright 

Or overcast. 
We shall sleep — sweetly sleep— 

At last — at last. 

At last all the noble 

^^'hose lives accord 
With Heaven's blessed Canons 

Will have reward; 
In splendor fadeless 

And unsurpassed. 
The God-crowned holy 

ir^hall shine — at last. 















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